Ginger Tea

My hands are cupped around a mug of perfectly sweetened warm ginger tea. It’s comforting on this cold lonely evening. One week ago I met three wonderful people who came here to my country with one purpose in their hearts. They came to help. It was so fun to see them make friends with the little bitty orphans. The eagerness and gusto that surrounded their beings were contagious. They worked so very hard. They gave so very much. Was there ever a moment that they did not have huge smiles on their faces?

And now they are gone. It is true that they left bits of themselves here in this land. The impact will be a lasting one. But they also took with them bits of me; and it kind of hurts. Why does it hurt when they took with them such good things like memories of fun times, touching moments shared and love?

I miss my new friends. It’s not like I will never see them again. They will go on living their lives and I’ll go on living mine. We’ll write. Yeah, we’ll try to keep in touch. It’s all good… or at least it will be…

Big Shoes to Fill

As you begin to delve into the wonderful world of etymology you can find some interesting history of the words we use. Take for example the word: missionary. What does the word missionary mean?

Just for fun I thought I would do some investigation about this curious employment that we occupy. At first glace I was humbled and challenged. Some of the sources listed for me the definition followed by examples of people who held the office of missionary. Wow! There are some big names on some of those lists! Therein were found the likes of: David Livingstone, Mother Theresa, and the Apostle Paul. If you know anything about the lives of these individuals then you know at least that sacrifice, suffering and steadfast service in the face of great adversity marked their path throughout their whole life.

Those are some big shoes to fill!

So after I had staggered under the weight of my discovery for a bit there came to me another thought: must I fill those shoes? Just in those three names mentioned there is great diversity in the nature if their mission, purpose and impact. I concluded that it would be ludicrous and down right impossible to expect myself to be just like them.

Then there settled upon me the gentle realization of a truth deeper than that found in online research. There is one example of a person who occupied the missionary office who stands tall above them all. His name is Jesus. He came from a foreign land with the greatest mission of all.

I don’t have to worry about filling his shoes; because actually I already am doing it. Corporately we are the body of Christ. And it just so happens that the bible talks about feet that are beautiful as they take the good news of the gospel to the world. I needn’t fret if I am living up to my station in life. Rather, I need to trust that God has placed me where I am and he is enabling me to fulfill my call.

DaRonn updated his blog...

My husband just posted some very interesting thoughts. You can click here to link through.

Funny Fruit - Pacai

About 6 or 7 soft, fuzzy, little, white pillows of fruit pods make up the pacai. There is a bit of juice and a big black seed in the middle of each pod. The outside looks like tree bark. The taste is sweet. It is the best straight from the tree and warmed up by the sun.

07/07/07 @ 07:07

Here I am at 7:07 this morning with a friend from the States who decided to climb the stairs with me. There was no one around to take the picture – so the angle is funny. :-) As we started our ascent I got some shots of the city.







Where were you at on this memorable date?

Roots and the Jungle

These past 2 weeks I have been working at decorating my boys' room. I still have a couple things to hang on the walls; but the main part is done. I painted a picture of a jungle. It matches the quilt that my aunt made for Tyler when he was born.


The fact that I am decorating my home shows that I have matured. Before, I had a nomadic attitude. I didn't believe in decorating. I didn't want to put down any kind of root because I thought it would hurt too much if I had to pull them up for some reason. But this attitude touched some dangerous areas that went much deeper than simply not decorating the house. I guarded myself from making any friendships. Thus I isolated myself. I mistakenly assumed that I would be fine if "Jesus was my only friend". God graciously helped me to grow up and value the human relationships I have. He is helping me now to learn how to be a good friend. I am so grateful to Him that He has also brought to me good friends.


So, the fact that I have painted the boys' room shows that I am not afraid of putting down roots. I am pleased with the results. Timothy helped me paint the little yellow squares on the sides. The middle section is about 150 cm (almost 4 foot) tall.

Raimy said...

With dazzles in her eyes and a budding carnation in her hands she held out the common kitchen cup turned vase and exclaimed...

"Patience makes perfect!"

She had been waiting since Saturday for the flower to open up. Ah, the hope of a child. If only we could all trust God and know that his will is perfected when we are faithful and patient.